Automatic lighting and extinguishing apparatus for high-pressure gas-lamps.



I G. KEITH.

AUTOMATIC LIGHTING AND EXTINGUISHING APPARATUS FOR HIGH PRESSURE GAS LAMPS. APPLICATION FILED DEC- 28, 1914,

1 189 361 Q Patented May11,1915.

nrromvfy HE NORRIS PETERS CO., FHOTU-LITHCL. WASHINGll/nl,

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GEORGE KEITH, OF LONDON, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-HALF TO JAMES KEITH, 0 LONDON, ENGLAND.

AUTOMATIC LIGHTING AND EXTING-UISHING APPARATUS FOR HIGH-PRESSURE GAS-LAMPS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 11, 1915.,

Application filed December 28, 1914. Serial No. 879,392.

To aZZ whom it may concern Be it known that I, GEORGE KEITH, a sub ject of the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and residing at London, England, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Automatic Lighting and Extinguishing Apparatus for High-Pressure Gas-Lamps, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for automatically lighting and extinguishing gas lamps from a distance by means of variations in the pressure of the gas supply. In an existing construction of apparatus of this type the supply of gas to the lamp is cut ofi under low pressure by a diaphragm which acts both as a valve and piston and on the back of which is arranged a second valve for controlling the pilot light by-pass, so that, when the main valve is closed, the by-pass is fully open, and vice versa; there being an intermediate position which permits of a flash being given to the bypass at the instant of lighting. Now, in connection with the most modern types of high pressure incandescent gas lamps it is found necessary or desirable to enrich the combustible mixture at the moment the lamp is extinguished, in order to prevent an explosion and destruction of the mantle. While the enrichment of the mixture is more or less readily effected in the case of a lamp controlled by a cock having a special port which is only opened during a portion of the angular movement of the cock, it is believed that the construction of apparatus herein described and illustrated is the first automatic lighting and extinguishing apparatus which also provides not only for producing a flash at the pilot light by-pass but also takes care of the introduction of a separate auxiliary supply of gas at a point of the system beyond the usual injecting jet at the moment of lighting or extinguishing, the consequent enrichment of the mixture being effected only during the commencement and termination of the supply of gas to the lamp.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a vertical section of one embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 a section on the line XX Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 a section on the line Y-Y, Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawing, A denotes the inlet for the gas, from which inlet the gas flows by way of a passage controlled by a valve B to an annular chamber C located at the inner side of a flexible, preferably metallic diaphragm D. Formed in the body of the structure and disposed concentrically with the diaphragm and preferably coplanar with the inner face of the flange of the diaphragm casing is an annular valve seat E. Operatively connected to, and located externally of, the diaphragm is a spring-loaded plunger F, having a flanged portion F the end face of which adjacent to the dia phragm is formed with a recess H located opposite the valve seat E and partially entered by the thin metal of the diaphragm caused to do so by the action of the spring G.

It will be seen that when the gaseous pressure Within the chamber C is suflicient to overcome the resistance offered by the spring-loaded diaphragm D, the diaphragm is deflected outwardly and communication is established between the annular chamber C and the tube J leading to the lamp.

Control of the pilot light by-pass and of the supply of gas for enrichment of the mixture is effected through the intermediary of spring-loaded valves K, L, the ends of the stems of which are adapted to be en gaged by the diaphragm, which latter is rendered rigid near the surface of contact with the seat E by the solid abutment afforded by the end face of the flanged portion F of the plunger F.

The valve L which controls the pilot light by-pass M is disposed externally of the valve seat E, and the valve K which controls the supply of enriching gas is disposed inter nally of said seat E. On inward deflection of the diaphragm both valves K, L are opened by virtue of their engagement with the diaphragm, but communication is only established between the chamber C and the by-pass M, while the connection between the said chamber C and a passage 0 leading to a point of the system beyond the usual in jector is interrupted by the diaphragm pressing against the seat E.

Complete outward deflection of the diaphragm is accompanied by closure of the valves K, L, the supply of gas for enrichment of the mixture and for the maintenance of the pilot light being thus interrupted.

When the pressure is just sufficient to move the diaphragm 05 the seat, the valve K is open and a portion of the gas can pass by way of such valve to the selected point of the system beyond the injector, the remainder passing down the tube J. Further increase in the gaseous pressure within the chamber C results in release of the diaphragm valve and in the closure of the valve K, whereby the supply of enriching gas is interrupted and the entire supply of gas is passed through the tube J. The critical point at Which, on reduction of gaseous pressure, enrichment commences may be accurately determined by adjustment of the load of the spring G by means of the screwthreaded cap N.

In the construction shown the passage for the enriching supply of gas is afforded by the port 0 which is in communication with an annular passage formed intermediate the tube J and the pipe P serving to carry the lamp; the quantity of gas allowed to pass being regulated by means of a screw Q.

The enriching gas may be led to the selected point by other convenient means, such as, for example, a pipe screwed into the boss shown as accommodating the screw Q.

Rotation of the valves K, L is prevented by pins R fixed in the periphery of the valve spindles and engaging longitudinal slots. formed in the end plugs 70, Z, of the valves or in the body of the apparatus.

In lieu of being provided with pins It the valve spindles may be provided with flats to prevent rotation of the valves, the orifices of the end plugs being shaped correspondingly. I

As shown, the endwise movement of the valves K and L is controlled by pins 70 and Z threaded into the end plugs 70 and Z of the valves, so as to be engaged by the ends of the stems of the valves K and L, accidental movement of the said pins being prevented by jam nuts screwed thereon as shown.

I claim a 1. In an automatic lighting and extinguishing apparatus for high pressure gas lamps, in combination, a diaphragm casing having a gas inlet and a gas outlet and a chamber connected to both the inlet and outlet and provided with a seat, a diaphragm normally held against said seat to cut oflf communication between said inlet and chamber, a by-pass connecting said chamber with a point of the system beyond the usual injecting jet of the lamp, and a valve controlling said by-pass, the stem of said valve being acted on by that portion of said diaphragm which is exposed to said chamber.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for 2. In an automatic lighting and extinguishing apparatus for high pressure gas lamps, in combination, a diaphragm casing having a gas inlet and a gas outlet and a chamber connected to both the inlet and outlet and provided with a seat, a diaphragm normally held against said seat to cut of? communication between said inlet and chamber, a pilot by-pass, and a loaded valve for said pilot by-pass, the stem of said valve being acted on by'that portion of the diaphragm which is exposed to said chamber.

3. In an automatic lighting and extinguishing apparatus for high pressure gas lamps, in combination, a diaphragm casing having a gas inlet and a gas outlet and a chamber connected to both the inlet and outlet and provided with a seat, a diaphragm normally held against said seat to cut off communication between said inlet and chamher, a loaded plunger serving to hold said diaphragm normally against its seat, said plunger formed with a recess opposite the edge of said seat, a by-pass connecting said chamber with a point of the system beyond the usual injecting jet of the lamp, and a valve controlling said by-pass, the stem of said valve being acted on by that portion of said diaphragm which is exposed to said light by-pass, two spring-loaded valves one 7 for each by-pass, said valves disposed in the path of movement of said diaphragm, the valve for said first mentioned by-pass being in a position to permit passage of gas therethrough only when the diaphragm occupies the position corresponding to the commencement and termination of the pas sage of gas through 'said outlet, and the valve for the pilot light by-pass being in a position to permit passage of gas to the pilot light when the diaphragmis in engagement with said seat.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE KEITH.

Witnessesi- .COLLINSON, a A; 'J. WHYTE.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Ifatents; Washington, D. G. V 

